When it comes to having steak on your plate, it’s hard to top a ribeye roast that’s cooked slowly and carefully to preserve its bold flavor and smooth texture. A ribeye roast is large enough for the family to enjoy, too.
This guide explores everything you need to know about how to cook ribeye roast using multiple methods, like the oven, grill, or slow cooker.
Table of Contents
What is Ribeye Roast?
Ribeye roast comes from the rib section of a cow, the same area where butchers cut ribeye steaks from. In fact, ribeye steaks are sliced from the ribeye roast. Because this area of the animal isn’t particularly exercised or muscular, it’s extremely tender when cooked. Its good amount of marbling — the fat that runs through the meat — adds to its texture and flavor.
What to Know When Buying a Ribeye Roast
When buying a ribeye roast, try to look for a cut from the smaller end of the ribcage. This area tends to be the most flavorful and tender, although you can’t go wrong with any portion of ribeye roast. Also, look for roasts marked as USDA Prime, which denotes roasts that have passed the USDA’s high-quality standards to earn the label.
Different Ways to Cook Ribeye Roast
These are some of our favorite ways to cook ribeye roast, which you can replicate in your kitchen.
Before cooking, prepare ribeye roast by salting all sides 30-45 minutes beforehand, leaving the roast at room temperature to rest. Then, sprinkle your other choice of seasonings on all sides of the roast just before cooking.
After cooking, allow the roast to rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, before slicing.
Cooking Ribeye Roast in the Oven
Cooking ribeye roast in the oven is the most common method. To do it, set the oven to 500 degrees. Place the roast in a shallow baking dish and cook for 10 minutes. Lower the heat to 325 degrees and cook the roast until it reaches your desired doneness level. This typically takes between 90-120 minutes.
Cooking Ribeye Roast on the Grill
Place the roast fat side up on a drip tray on a low-heat area of the grill away from direct heat. If you can set a temperature, set it to 225 degrees. Cook for 90-120 minutes. Then, move the roast to direct heat set to 450-500 degrees. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping once to sear both sides.
Cooking Ribeye Roast in Smoker
Prepare the smoker with wood chips and preheat to 225 degrees. Cook in the smoker for 5-6 hours, depending on how done you want your roast. Use your smoker’s instructions to determine how long to smoke your roast based on its size. After smoking, place the roast in a baking dish preheated oven set to 400 degrees. Roast for 20-30 minutes until crisp on the outside.
Cooking Ribeye Roast in Crockpot
Sear ribeye roast on all sides in a hot skillet with a drizzle of oil or butter. Place the roast in the slow cooker and cover with ½ cup of beef broth mixed with two tablespoons of melted butter. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until fork-tender.
How to Season Ribeye Roast for Best Flavor
All ribeye roast really needs is salt and pepper. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on all sides of the roast 30-45 minutes before cooking. Then, just before cooking, add black pepper. For extra flavor, use more of your favorite spices and herbs, like garlic powder, minced onion, or thyme. Make sure you spread your seasonings across the whole roast — top and bottom — and into any grooves to ensure seasoning on every bite.
Tips to Perfect Ribeye Roast
To craft a tasty ribeye roast, consider using the following tips:
- Cook the roast with the fat side up. The fat cooks down into the roast over time to keep it tender and flavorful.
- Season with salt for at least 30 minutes before cooking. The brining process helps tenderize the meat and crisp the roast on the outside.
- Rest ribeye roast for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. Keep it loosely covered with foil while resting. Slice against the roast’s grain.
Ribeye Roast Recipe
Looking to cook a ribeye roast in your own kitchen? Check out this super simple recipe for restaurant-quality ribeye roast.
Ingredients
- Prime ribeye roast, 3-6 pounds
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Salt ribeye roast on all sides. Set aside at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
- Place the roast in a shallow baking pan and season with pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes before lowering the heat to 325 degrees. Cook until the roast reaches your desired doneness level. This typically takes about 20 minutes per pound.
- Remove the roast from the oven and cover it loosely with foil. Rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Additional Information
Here are just a few more tips to help you create a delicious ribeye roast, no matter what cooking method you choose to use.
Cooking Times
- In the oven: Oven-cooked rib roast takes 90-120 minutes, usually, to cook to medium rare. Budget about 20 minutes per pound.
- On the grill: Grilled rib roast takes about 20-30 minutes per pound to cook, or a total of 90-120 minutes.
- In the smoker: Cook a rib roast in the smoker for about 5-6 hours according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- In the Crock Pot: A slow-cooked rib roast cooks for 6-8 hours. Cook until fork-tender.
Measuring Doneness
The best way to tell if your rib roast reaches your desired doneness level is to check its temperature with a meat thermometer. After removing it from the heat, insert the thermometer into the thickest part until it reaches the middle of the roast. A medium-rare rib roast is ready to rest when it reaches 125-130 degrees.
Conclusion: How to Cook Ribeye Roast
We’ve shared everything you need to know about cooking ribeye roast, from prepping it to the types of cooking methods you can use. Now, it’s time to do it! Order a standing rib roast from Chicago Steak Company for a convenient and quick delivery to your door. We offer USDA Choice and USDA Prime rib roast to cater to your budget.
Ribeye Roast FAQs
Ribeye Roast
Ingredients
- 3-6 lbs prime ribeye roast
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp italian seasoning
Instructions
- Salt ribeye roast on all sides. Set aside at room temperature for 30-45 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees
- Place the roast in a shallow baking pan and season with pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning
- Cook for 10-15 minutes before lowering the heat to 325 degrees. Cook until the roast reaches your desired doneness level. This typically takes about 20 minutes per pound
- Remove the roast from the oven and cover it loosely with foil. Rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing